The Warriors may be heading toward a major reset, and Draymond Green could be one of the first dominoes to fall.
According to The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson, Golden State might be looking at a short runway with Green still in the mix. Thompson said, “It's probably six months left for the Draymond Green era," and pointed to the fact that Green is on a one-year deal worth $27.8 million and does not have a no-trade clause. He also noted that the setup feels like the Warriors could reassess in February and, if things are not where they need to be, begin moving pieces and starting over.
That possibility has already led to speculation about who Golden State could target down the road. Blue Man Hoops’ Peter O’Keefe floated Ben Simmons as a future fit if the Warriors do end up moving on from Green by the mid-season trade deadline.
O’Keefe wrote, “If the Warriors do move on from their former Defensive Player of the Year and his $27.7 million contract by the mid-season trade deadline, suddenly Simmons becomes a lot more interesting if he restores some value at the Kings and becomes available again further down the track. Simmons appears to fit the Warriors mould of high level passing and defensive versatility, making him a player to watch and someone who could still join the franchise in the future based on this recent interest,”
Simmons is back in the NBA after signing with the Sacramento Kings. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, “Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons has agreed on a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe and Ryan Arney tell me and Marc J Spears. The one-time All-NBA star is back in the NBA for a 10th season after sitting out 2025-26,”
For Golden State, the appeal is obvious. Simmons would give Steph Curry another experienced piece as the Warriors try to squeeze out one more Finals run with Curry still on the roster. Simmons, a 10-year veteran, has already made $203 million in his career.
Nothing is locked in yet, but the Warriors have some big choices ahead, and this season could shape whether a Curry-Simmons pairing becomes a real possibility in 2027-28.
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For the Warriors, the appeal would depend on more than just Simmons' own comeback path. If he re-establishes his value in Sacramento, Golden State could circle back, especially if the roster picture changes in a way that makes his fit cleaner around the pieces already in place. [Read more 🡒]